Finite Heuristic use cases

[former_member715896]

Hello experts,

I would like to raise a question about the Finite heuristic: which are the potential use cases for the TS-based Finite heuristic and in which cases should we recommend this solution to customers?

I know that finite heuristic still has its limitations and I'm wondering if there is a specific business/ industry in which we would rather opt for implementing Finite heuristic instead of Optimizer, as well as the benefits that would define such a choice.

Thank you!

[keyhani]

Hello,

I recommend the official help page:
https://help.sap.com/viewer/feae3cea3cc549aaa9d9de7d363a83e6/2105/en-US/4080bb02e3f347e98e0f0be80876...

Using the finite heuristic instead of the optimizer can be considered whenever the optimizer needs a too long run time and the planning quality of the finite heuristic is sufficient.

You can also use the finite heuristic before the optimization run in order to find a start solution. By this, the required solve time can be reduced.

Kind regards,
Mohammad

[SatishWaghmare · Accepted solution]

Hi Raiane,

Finite Heuristic comparatively easy to implement, model the master data and cost rates to enable demand and SoS prioritization, and understand the planning results. It runs much faster.

Although it has its own limitations and one needs to be aware of those. Some challenges with FH which I learned in recent past is in the area of Target Periods of Supply / Inventory Target, Two phase approach to fulfill demand (first Ind. Dmd and Dep Dmd for all weeks, and then 2nd phase of Safety/Target Stock fulfillment ) and how it leads to an issue, Min and Rounding Value Lot Sizes, Cyclic T-Lanes, no option for how early to fulfill the demand and so on. In spite of these issues, the solution works reasonably well, provided you understand the its limitations and of course do not have business scenario which requires cost optimization. S&OP license is not needed for FH.

Supply Planning Optimizer is much complex. It takes time to implement the solution. It is much more laborious to model the master data and cost rates. The cost model is key to achieve the desired planning results. Unfortunately, planning results not always easy to understand and may not as per Business expectation, can be very confusing and tedious to understand. It requires long runtime to find the solution. Troubleshooting any issue could be tedious as well. I do not recommend Optimizer unless Business requirement really requires Cost based optimized constrained supply planning. S&OP license is required for Optimizer

I recently finished Finite Heuristic project to replace Supply Planning Optimizer. The overall feedback from Business is very encouraging so far.

Hope this will help.

Thank you

Satish Waghmare